by Cindy Kirk
He barely recognized the boy. Oh, the hair was still long, but instead of jeans with holes and a faded T-shirt, the kid wore khakis with his T-shirt.
Lolo turned her head. Her cheeks reddened as the boy caught them staring and raised a hand in greeting. After they’d exchanged a quick smile, she glanced at Kyle, her voice sounding slightly breathless. “That’s K.T. He’s an incredible artist.”
Kyle experienced a surge of brotherly protectiveness and cursed himself for bringing the kid to his sister’s attention. He made sure not to stop in the boy’s vicinity, choosing instead the edge of the dance floor where Eliza stood visiting with Lindsay.
The effort was wasted. Kyle barely had a second to wonder where the minister was, when K.T. appeared to stand at Lolo’s side.
“I talked to one of the guys I know in the band.” The boy apparently saw no reason to bother with social niceties, like saying hello. “They’re gonna play a good song next. Do you wanna dance?”
K.T. shoved his hands into his pockets and affected a nonchalant air, as if it didn’t matter to him how Lolo responded.
It mattered to Kyle. His sister was twelve years old. This kid was fourteen. She was much too young to be dancing with—
“I’d like that.” Lolo’s reply was as offhand as the invitation. “That okay?”
Something in the look in her eyes had Kyle reconsidering the refusal poised on the tip of his tongue. The eagerness he’d seen, for that split second, told him being asked to dance by someone other than her brother was a big deal.
Eliza stepped to his side. “It’s just a dance.”
That’s all she said. But that, along with the pleading puppy-dog look in his sister’s eyes, had Kyle offering a reluctant nod. A second later, to the delight of the younger crowd, the band launched into a popular, fast-paced song.
K.T. and Lolo hurried onto the dance floor. Kyle watched them for several seconds before he turned back to Eliza and Lindsay. But where two women had stood, now there was only one.
“Having him ask her to dance was a nice boost to her confidence.” Eliza lifted a flute of champagne to her red lips and took a sip.
“I almost said no.”
“You didn’t.” Eliza waved a hand in the air. “In middle school, I attended one dance. Jeremy was the only one who asked me to dance. That was because we were friends.”
“If I’d been there, I’d have asked you.”
Eliza gave a little chuckle. “Probably not. But thanks for the thought.”
Kyle told himself to change the topic, but he couldn’t stop himself. “I was a nice kid back then. You can’t tell me that Jeremy was the only good guy back then.”
Eliza lifted one shoulder, let it drop as she took another sip of her drink.
“You know what I think.”
Those gray eyes sharpened. “No, but I bet you’re going to tell me.”
He shouldn’t. Kyle knew he shouldn’t. He should play it smart and keep his mouth shut. It wasn’t that he had some special insight. If he did say something, it was because he saw how much those memories hurt her. And maybe if she looked at that time more clearly, she wouldn’t hurt so much.
“You erected this shield around you that was impossible to breach.” Kyle cursed to himself. That hadn’t come out quite the way he’d hoped.
Eliza lifted a dark brow. “Pardon me?” Ice crystals laced the softly spoken words.
“Of course, I wasn’t there, so I can’t say for sure…” he began.
“Spit it out, Kendrick.”
“Jeremy didn’t have any qualms about approaching you because you were friends.” Now came the tricky part, Kyle thought. “But, trust me, guys that age, while they may seem cocky, are floundering as much as the girls. You say you were gawky and unattractive, but—”
“I was gawky and unattractive.” Her jaw jutted out, and her eyes flashed gray fire.
“You may have been gawky, E, but you were never unattractive.” He reached up and fingered a strand of her silky hair. “You have beautiful hair, amazing gray eyes and a very pretty face.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he continued without giving her a chance. “I bet the guys were scared. Likely terrified.”
Doubt filled her gaze. “Of what?”
“Of you.” Kyle stroked his fingers against the side of her cheek. “You’re so self-assured, so confident. I bet even back then you had that warrior princess demeanor.”
Eliza gave a humorless chuckle. “They called me Olive Oyl, not Wonder Woman or Xena.”
The flash in her eyes told Kyle to tread carefully. He kept his tone mild. “Kids call each other all sorts of names at that age.”
He moved close, crowding her.
“But—” She paused as if he’d disrupted her train of thought.
Good, he thought, because that was what happened to him every time she was within three feet of him. Heck, whenever they were in the same room.
“You’re a strong woman. I’m sure you were an amazing girl. No wonder they were awed.” He stepped back, held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
Eliza blinked but moved into his arms just as the strains of a smooth ballad filled the air. The second they stepped onto the floor, he remembered his sister. Kyle glanced around the dance floor. Panic surged when he didn’t see Lolo.
“She’s over there with Katherine and Gladys.”
His shoulders relaxed. “You probably think I’m overprotective.”
“Not at all.” Her expression turned serious. “Lolo is your responsibility. Oh, it looks as if Katherine is trying to get your attention.”
The older woman’s hand was on Lolo’s shoulder. When his gaze met hers, she waved good-bye with her free hand.
“I’m surprised they’re leaving. I’d have thought Katherine and Gladys would close down the party,” Kyle murmured.
“I think, when you get to be their age, parties are like a fine wine. A little goes a long way.”
When Eliza’s body molded against his, Kyle let himself savor the moment. Since Lolo had arrived, he’d felt more like a father than a big brother. He knew he could trust Katherine to keep his sister safe. Which left him to enjoy the rest of the evening with Eliza.
When the band leader announced that the Electric Slide was up next, Eliza stepped from his arms. He reached out and grabbed her hand before she could exit the dance floor. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“It’s the Electric Slide.” Eliza nearly sighed the words. “It’s played at every Bloom sister wedding.”
“Then you should know the steps.”
She made a scoffing sound. “I know the steps.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Two little frown lines appeared between her brows. “It’s just that it’s so—”
“Fun?”
She huffed out a breath.
“C’mon, let’s give it a try.” Kyle felt encouraged that she didn’t pull away when he tugged on her hand. “If you don’t like it, or you’re not enjoying yourself, we’ll stop.”
Her gaze narrowed. “Are you saying you’ll get off the floor mid-dance if I say I don’t like it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Like I said, I want you to enjoy the evening.” He maneuvered her into one of the lines that were forming. “But I’m warning you, the Chicken Dance is probably coming up next. That one is my favorite.”
“It was a beautiful wedding.” Eliza met Fin’s eyes with a steady gaze. “I enjoyed the reception.”
“Thank you for coming.” Fin leaned forward, the stone on her finger glittering in the light as she took Eliza’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. “Having you here meant a lot to both of us.”
Eliza turned to the groom, her oldest and dearest friend. “I saw the look in your eyes when you spotted Fin at the church. You’re clearly besotted, Rakes.”
Jeremy chuckled and slipped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Guilty as charged.”
“You�
��re a lucky man.” Kyle met his brother’s gaze.
“We’ll talk when I’m back from Hawaii.” Jeremy slapped Kyle on the back.
Kyle inclined his head in a slight nod, then turned to Eliza. “Are you ready?”
Surprise skittered across Fin’s face. “You’re leaving so soon?”
“Once the Chicken Dance is over, the night is complete,” Kyle quipped.
Everyone laughed, and after another minute of conversation, she and Kyle were able to slip away.
It took another twenty minutes to get out of the barn. Everyone kept stopping them, wanting to talk.
Eliza planned to say good-bye to Lindsay, but when she caught sight of Dan across the room, her friend wasn’t at his side.
While the day had been beautiful and unseasonably warm, the night breeze held a chill. When she shivered, Kyle took off his jacket and slung it around her shoulders. The inside of the coat, warm from his body, held the subtle lime scent of his cologne.
“That was fun.” Eliza slipped inside the truck, eager to get out of the wind.
“You sound surprised.” Kyle slanted a sideways glance when he slid behind the wheel.
She took a moment to answer, enjoying the rush of warm air from the vents and the feel of heated leather beneath her. “I’ve been to many receptions over the years. They can be tedious.”
“I’ve been to a few of those myself.” He chuckled. “I went to one where nobody danced. There was this great hardwood floor, but even the bride and groom didn’t get out there. Everyone just stood and looked at each other. But there was plenty of beer, so…”
Eliza rolled her eyes.
“Did the wedding give you any ideas?”
Eliza blinked. “What kind of ideas?”
“For the competition.”
Feeling foolish for the direction her thoughts had momentarily veered, Eliza spoke smoothly. “I loved Fin’s dress. It was gorgeous. But seeing it only reinforced what I’d already concluded. We need a dress that’s not only beautiful, but one that will grab the judges by the throat and not let go.”
Kyle’s expression turned thoughtful. “What kind of dress do you see getting their attention?”
“An interesting cut or style might do it.”
“You don’t think that’ll be enough.”
Eliza let herself sink even farther into the plush leather. “I think the dress needs to be a different color. Not white or ivory, but something bolder.”
“Something in-your-face bold.”
It wasn’t quite the descriptor Eliza was going for. “Yes, but still beautiful and elegant. Just not the color one would expect.”
“I attended a wedding last year where the bride wore pink. Is that what you’re thinking?”
“Preferably not pink. That color has become common.”
“Red? Yellow? Purple?”
“Any and all should be considered.”
“Seriously?” A startled look crossed Kyle’s face. “Do they even make wedding dresses in those colors?”
“They do.” Eliza smiled at the suspicious look he shot her. “Quite lovely ones.”
“Do they have ones in black?” He flashed a grin. “You look terrific in black.”
“Yes, but as the dress isn’t for me, that’s hardly relevant.”
Kyle’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel. “What does the pastor think?”
“He’s leaving the choice of the dress totally up to Lindsay.”
The tapping fingers stopped. “He doesn’t want to be involved?”
“She prefers to choose her own dress.”
“Interesting.”
For some reason, Eliza was seized with the urge to rise to her friend’s defense. Though, what she was defending, she wasn’t sure. “Having the bride choose the dress without a groom’s input is very common.”
“Didn’t say it wasn’t.”
“I could tell what you were thinking.”
Kyle wheeled the pickup truck onto the highway leading into Good Hope. “Something about Dan and Lindsay’s relationship feels…off to me. I can’t pinpoint what it is, other than she just doesn’t seem all that into him.”
“She agreed to marry him,” Eliza pointed out.
“Doesn’t mean squat.”
His tone was clipped, and there was now a tight set to Kyle’s jaw. Eliza narrowed her gaze. Her instincts said there was more going on here than Lindsay and Dan.
“Have you ever been engaged?” Eliza tossed the question out as if the answer was of no consequence. “Or married?”
It was odd, she realized, to live under the same roof and not know the basic facts of someone’s life.
“Engaged.” His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “Once.”
Eliza kept her tone offhand. “What happened?”
He turned to look at her. “You really want to dissect my former love life?”
“Sure. Unless it’s some deep, dark secret you prefer to keep hidden.” If it was, she’d ferret it out, given time.
“No secret.” He expelled a breath and kept his eyes on the road. “Jessica worked in the company’s corporate office. She was just out of college and a real go-getter.”
His lips curved up in a smile, and something inside Eliza twisted.
“She was vivacious, smart and unable to commit.” The chuckle he emitted held a harsh edge. “At least to me.”
Eliza’s breath stilled as she considered the description. “She cheated on you?”
“Nothing so dramatic.” His focus remained on the road. “We set a date for the following summer. In the next six months, she changed the date three times.”
“Not that into you,” Eliza murmured.
“Exactly.”
“If she didn’t want to marry you, why did she say yes?”
“She insisted she did want to marry me but wanted everything to be perfect.”
Eliza could understand the sentiment. She waited for him to continue, but after a few minutes of driving in silence, she realized he didn’t plan to say any more. “What happened?”
“You know how they say not to listen to what is said, but observe the actions?”
Thinking she knew just where Kyle was headed, Eliza nodded.
“After the third switch, her actions told me she was having second thoughts.”
Even in the dim light, she saw sadness wash over his face. It was gone in an instant. If she hadn’t been looking directly at him, she’d have missed it.
“She finally got up the guts to tell me.”
The fact that having this conversation seemed so perfectly natural struck Eliza as odd.
He pulled the truck into the driveway. “Last month, after a very brief engagement, she married someone else.”
They walked to the door in silence, with Eliza wishing she’d never brought up the subject. She hated to have the evening end on a low note.
Kyle unlocked the front door, and they stepped inside.
Eliza handed him his jacket. “Thanks for the loan.”
“Any time, E.” The smile was back in his eyes. He flicked his wrist and glanced at the time displayed. “It’s only twelve thirty. We could open a bottle of wine?”
Eliza shook her head. “None for me, thanks.”
“Yeah, well, there was a lot of alcohol at the party.”
“You only had one glass of wine.”
“Were you checking up on me?”
“I notice things.”
“I was driving,” he said by way of explanation. “You didn’t have much, either.”
“Were you watching me?”
“Every second.” When he grinned, she went warm all over.
“I prefer to stay in control.” She shrugged. “I’ve drunk too much on a couple of occasions, and it wasn’t pretty.”
“Okay, no alcohol.” Kyle rocked back on his heels. “What about food? Are you hungry?”
There had been endless amounts of food at the party. But just like with the alcohol, neither of
them had eaten much. Eliza took a step toward Kyle. She was hungry, but not for food.
Her gaze slid over his face, taking in the light stubble along his jawline, lingering on those firm lips. The memory of how his mouth had felt against hers had her blood surging.
On the porch last night, Kyle had awakened long-dormant needs. She took a second step closer and breathed in the scent of him.
He smelled like soap and cologne and that indefinable male scent that had the heat percolating low in her belly.
Looping her arms around his neck, she gazed into his eyes. “I am hungry.”
His hands rested lightly on her hips. She felt the heat through her clothing to the bare skin beneath.
“Just so we’re on the same page.” His gaze caressed her face, as surely as he’d stroked her skin with his fingertip. “What I’m hungry for isn’t usually found in a kitchen.”
Eliza ran the tip of her tongue across her lips and was pleased to see his eyes darken. She was playing with fire. It was practically a given she’d get burned. Right now, she didn’t care.
She wanted this man. Wanted his hands on her. Wanted to feel taut muscles sliding under her fingertips and his body pressed against hers.
If regrets were part of the package, she would deal.
“Come upstairs with me?” Her voice came out husky and low.
The flash of his grin arrowed straight to her heart. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 16
In her entire thirty-one years, Eliza had slept with only two men. A college boyfriend for a couple of months and a onetime thing with Jeremy. As she rushed to her rooms, it was with the thought of having the ache inside her quenched in a matter of minutes.
But Kyle didn’t glance in the direction of the adjoining bedroom. He moved to the hearth. As he built the fire and Eliza admired the way his shirt stretched across his well-muscled back, she realized he was giving her a gift.
The gift of time. Time to back out? Or time to settle?
Her insecurity had her turning away before she could do something ridiculous like kneel behind him and plant a kiss on his neck.
